Reading, Nude in Profile (La Lecture, nu de profil)

Reading, Nude in Profile (La Lecture, nu de profil) by Henri Matisse, executed in 1913, is an exquisite example of the artist's graphic work during a pivotal period of Modernism. Classified as a print, this lithograph showcases Matisse’s evolving approach to figuration and line art, where he used the intimate setting of the interior to explore form and tranquility. The French master frequently returned to the subject of the reclining or seated figure, making this composition a hallmark of his sustained interest in the human body.

In this piece, Matisse renders a solitary female figure absorbed in a book, viewed strictly in profile. The composition relies on the precise and economical application of line, a feature highly characteristic of his lithography technique. Unlike his highly saturated Fauvist canvases, this graphic medium allowed Matisse to concentrate purely on silhouette and underlying structure, focusing on the rhythmic contours of the body and the surrounding geometric elements. The spare, elegant rendering demonstrates the artist's mastery of minimalism, where every line contributes essential information without redundancy.

The emphasis on the contemplative act of reading adds a subtle intellectual dimension to the traditional nude study, transforming a purely formal investigation into a moment of private psychological engagement. Created in 1913 just before the onset of World War I, this work is a key representation of Matisse's mature style in graphic arts. As a lithograph, the image belongs to a significant body of prints produced by the artist, which were instrumental in disseminating his influential Modernist compositions globally. This important 1913 French print is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York. Quality reproductions and prints of works from this period often enter the public domain, further extending the reach of Matisse’s indelible legacy.